Tips on Protecting Your Skin from Harsh Elements

So we all know it is impossible to live in a perfect environment for our skin—a bubble where the oxygen and humidity levels are synergistically balanced. Instead we must wade through the muck of harmful toxins all around us.

Although it may be unrealistic to shield yourself from all environmental pollutants harmful to your skin, it is helpful to be aware of some of the risks and know what you can do to protect yourself the best you can.

In this first section, we’ll talk about harsh elements that can mess with your skin. And then follow up with a discussion about products available to you to help you conquer even the environment.

Understanding the Elements
Maybe you live near a major city? If so, you are up against factors such as pollution and smog. However, even if you live in a rural area, you are up against pesticides and free-floating radicals carried in the wind patterns. No, we aren’t talking about some scary sci-fi film. This is the reality of the modern world we live in.

Understand your body produces acne as a protective mechanism. Those pesky pustules and nodules form in an effort to extract toxins from your body. The benefit is that your skin is protecting your body from absorbing toxins into your liver and causing health problems. The bummer is that all of this results in unpleasant skin blemishes.

Smoke is another major culprit of clogged pores. Nicotine is visible in filters as a yellowish substance and can be seen in the discoloration in smokers’ fingers. It’s no wonder it harms our skin. Nicotine, tar, and smoke are harmful because they reduce blood circulation to the skin. Additionally, smoking dulls the skin color and causes the oh-so-dreaded wrinkles. It is quite clear that smoking causes deterioration to the skin and should be avoided by all people—especially acne sufferers.

Marijuana is also a major problem for people dealing with acne. Studies have shown that particularly females who smoke this substance experience an increase in testosterone levels which affects body and facial hair and causes acne. Just say no…for real! Who needs to partake in something that is bad for your health and increases your chance for acne?

So now we know more about the pollutants in the air that we can control, what about the ones out of our control? Believe it or not, indoor air pollution can have significant effects on your health and skin. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times and, in some cases, more than 100 times greater than outdoor levels.
98% of office buildings today have air-conditioning. While we usually think of air conditioning as being a good thing, many physicians believe that these systems harbor infectious diseases and carry harmful bacteria.

Heat and humidity may also play a role in causing acne. People who work in industrial environments with high heat and humidity—like kitchens and laundry-mats—have been known to suffer from acne. Our own research team believes the reason behind this is an excess absorption of moisture to the skin, which can cause the skin to swell, restricting the opening of sebaceous follicles and restricting the outflow of sebum, which spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E for your skin.

We all know the damage sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause to skin, but avoiding the bulk of the harm is as easy as using skin protection. Look for products with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15, which means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer and remain protected.

There’s a lot of crazy info out there, so don’t be misled. For example, while some people believe sun can improve acne or make it less noticeable. In reality, the sun damages your follicular walls, clogging your pores, resulting in MORE ACNE that may not resurface for three to four weeks after the sun exposure.

Choosing the Right Products
How many acne products have you tried? Most acne sufferers bounce from product to product, growing more frustrated with each product’s failure. Let’s take a look at a few popular treatments for acne and some of the potential problems with these products.

The conventional treatment for comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads) is a topical product containing Tretinoin (synthetic vitamin A). Some of the adverse affects of such a product include mild irritation of the skin to reddish, wind-burned looking skin and dryness.
Inflammatory acne (pimples and pistules) is commonly treated with either topical or systemic antibiotic treatment in addition to the topical Tretinoin. Benzoyl peroxide in 2.5% to 10% concentrations is also a popular and effective choice, but often people experience severe irritation with this topical solution.

People with acne that mostly involves deep nodules with scarring and people who do not respond to the oral antibiotic therapy are often considered for what is called isotretinoin treatment. This is a metabolite of vitamin A that can greatly help the skin, but also comes with its fair share of nasty side effects: dryness on skin, lips, and in the nose and eyes. Some people even experience hair thinning! Although not as common, there have also been complaints of muscle and joint pain. One serious problem with this treatment is the potential for birth defects if the woman using the medication becomes pregnant. Women of childbearing age must take extreme care to avoid pregnancy while taking this drug.

Aren’t you excited about all of these possible acne treatments?!?! (Notice the sarcasm!) You can’t be. Reading this list is somewhat depressing, because no one wants to endure horrible side effects, even if it means better skin.

Don’t lose hope!
We offer an alternative in DermaCleanse Acne Gel. Take an in-depth look at the benefits of this product:

* Bactericidal effect on the causative organisms (Propionibacterium acnes P.acnes)
* Modulation of the follicular inflammatory response to P.acnes
* Modulation of the follicular immune response to P.acnes
* Prevention of comedonal secondary infection with any other organisms like Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic fungi.
* Decrease of the rate of eptithelial proliferation of the nodular acne
* Decrease of the rate of proliferation and the size of individual keratinocytes that accompany the healing process of the inflammatory nodules and lead to permanent scar
* Restoration of tissue integrity to avoid being disfigured because of the acne
* Normalize sebum secretion to avoid follicular plugging
* Moisturize the skin to give comfort sensation
* Finally and most important, it is completely safe and all its components act synergistically.

Derma Cleanse Acne Gel has no side effects and boasts a natural ingredient list.
For further information on our product, please feel free to browse our informative web page and look for the ingredient list: Zenmed Skin Care products

Incorporating the Right Daily Skin Care Regimen

Wash your face. It sounds so simple, yet many people make mistakes that hinder a beautiful complexion. Proper cleansing is one of the most important steps to achieving acne-free skin. The goal is to effectively cleanse, while avoiding aggravation and irritation to your already sensitive skin.

Wondering if your skin care regimen is what it should be? Check out the methods listed below to find out what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and how you can develop a daily routine that’s right for you.

1. Plain, old soap doesn’t cut it! When you are dealing with acne, typical over-the-counter soaps and cleansers can actually cause more harm than good. It’s best to have a cleanser designed especially for your individual skin type: moisturizing, oil-control, or a combination of both.
2. Don’t scrub—massage. Remember, you are caring for your delicate skin—pampering it, so you don’t want to scrub the living daylights out of it! Excessive scrubbing can cause irritation and even inflammation of the skin. Instead, gently massage the cleanser onto damp skin.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water. Use clean, lukewarm water to rinse off the cleanser. Using hot water can irritate and dry out the skin. Again, you want to massage the product off your skin. No scrubbing!
4. Don’t forget the post-wash treatment. A consistent post-wash routine using an acne spot treatment is just as important as the cleansing process. Apply the acne treatment cream or lotion and it will work throughout the rest of your day to combat current outbreaks and prevent new ones. A good sunscreen is also recommended to further protect your skin.

The plan for your individual skin type may vary, but most people with acne should incorporate this routine two to three times a day, every day.

Even if you follow a healthy lifestyle—avoiding smoking drinking, excessive make-up, and poor diet—you still need to follow this skin care regimen. Just think of all the pollutions, toxins, and impurities in the air around us. From dust to airborne grease to ultraviolet rays, it is important to remove this junk from your skin daily.

What you use on your face makes a difference. ZENMED™ topical treatments for acne breakouts are highly effective against blemishes, yet still gentle enough to be used as a part of your daily routine. It’s important to choose products that won't harm or further damage your complexion. Got it? Good. You’re one step closer to skin you can feel good about!

To get started right away on the ZENMED™ clear skin system, click here.

The First Step to Unlock the Mysteries of Rosacea

What exactly is Rosacea? A look in the mirror shows you red, irritated skin, perhaps with small, pimple-like bumps. Some rosacea sufferers will also notice visible spider veins showing through the skin.

The more medical description for rosacea is a chronic dermatological condition characterized by the inflammation of capillaries near the skin’s surface. These swollen blood vessels show up on the skin as a perpetual blushing that never leaves, often expanding across the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead.

Have you ever had to explain to others: “No I’m not hot…I’m not embarrassed…I’m not blushing?” If you have, you aren’t alone!

Some people with rosacea think they have acne, due to the bumps they see on their skin. The main difference between the two is that rosacea only appears on the face and the bumps do not have whiteheads or blackheads.

‘So Why on Earth is Rosacea Happening to Me?’

While there are differing explanations from the medical community as to why rosacea strikes certain people, there are three main thoughts:

* It’s a comprehensive disorder involving the blood vessels.
* It’s a result of bacteria, dubbed Helicobacter pylori, found in the digestive system.
* It’s caused by the overproduction of skin mites labeled Demodex folliculorum; these mites are common to all human skin cells but have been found in excessive quantities on the skin of rosacea sufferers.

Who is Most at Risk for Rosacea? What’s the Outlook?
You may be wondering what characteristics make you more susceptible to rosacea. Below are a few traits of rosacea sufferers:

* Rosacea is most commonly found among fair-skinned women between the ages of 30 and 50.
* People who flush easily are more susceptible to the development of the skin disorder.
* Rosacea can affect men and women alike, regardless of age or skin type.
* More than 16 million North Americans battle with rosacea, while 1 in 20 of these people face mild to moderate outbreaks.

The outlook for men who have rosacea can be bleaker without the right treatment, as the symptoms are often more severe and are typically accompanied with rhinophyma—an acute redness and enlargement of the nose.

For both women and men, rosacea left untreated tends to worsen with age and can even result in vision impairment or loss—otherwise known as Ocular Rosacea. Although there are many treatments for rosacea symptoms, there is currently no known cure. BUT the good news is that when diagnosed and treated in the early stages, the condition can be controlled and minimized with great success!

For more information on treating acne, rosacea, scars, stretch marks and many skin ailments visit this site which has all the solutions for problem skin.